Tissue resecting instrument

ABSTRACT

A tissue-resecting end effector assembly includes an outer shaft having a hub housing disposed about a proximal end portion thereof, an inner shaft rotatably disposed within the outer shaft and having a distal driver disposed about a proximal end portion thereof, a proximal driver, a retainer cap, and an RFID chip. The proximal driver is slidably coupled to the distal driver in fixed rotational orientation. The retainer cap is fixedly engaged with the hub housing, thereby fixing the retainer cap relative to the hub housing and the outer shaft. The retainer cap is configured to selectively lock the proximal driver in fixed rotational orientation, thereby selectively locking the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. The RFID chip is disposed within a pocket of the retainer cap that is closed upon engagement of the retainer cap with the hub housing, thereby retaining the RFID chip therein.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tissueresection. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tissueresecting instrument configured to facilitate resection and removal oftissue from an internal surgical site, e.g., a uterus.

2. Background of Related Art

Tissue resection may be performed endoscopically within an organ, suchas a uterus, by inserting an endoscope (or hysteroscope) into the uterusand passing a tissue resection instrument through the endoscope (orhysteroscope) and into the uterus. With respect to such endoscopictissue resection procedures, it often is desirable to distend the uteruswith a fluid, for example, saline, sorbitol, or glycine. The inflow andoutflow of the fluid during the procedure maintains the uterus in adistended state and flushes tissue and other debris from within theuterus to maintain a visible working space.

SUMMARY

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that isdescribed which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refersto the portion that is described which is closer to a user. Further, tothe extent consistent, any or all of the aspects described herein may beused in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects describedherein.

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is an endeffector assembly of a tissue-resecting device. The end effectorassembly includes an outer shaft having a hub housing disposed about aproximal end portion thereof, an inner shaft rotatably disposed withinthe outer shaft and having a distal driver disposed about a proximal endportion thereof, a proximal driver, a retainer cap, and an RFID chip.The proximal driver is slidably coupled to the distal driver in fixedrotational orientation relative thereto such that rotation of theproximal driver drives rotation of the distal driver. The retainer capdefines a pocket having an open end. The retainer cap is disposed aboutat least a portion of the proximal driver and fixedly engaged with thehub housing to thereby fix the retainer cap relative to the hub housingand the outer shaft. The retainer cap is configured to selectively lockthe proximal driver in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto,thereby selectively locking the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft.The RFID chip is disposed within the pocket. With the retainer capengaged with the hub housing, a portion of the hub housing closes theopen end of the pocket to retain the RFID chip therein.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the retainer cap engages the hubhousing via a snap-fit engagement.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a biasing spring extendsbetween the proximal driver and the distal driver to bias the proximaldriver towards a locked position, wherein the retainer cap locks theproximal driver in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal driver ismovable against the bias of the biasing spring to an unlocked position,wherein the proximal driver is unlocked from the retainer cap to permitrelative rotation therebetween.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the inner and outershafts define windows towards respective distal ends thereof. Rotationof the inner shaft within the outer shaft rotates the window of theinner shaft relative to the window of the outer shaft.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of thewindow of the inner shaft or the window of the outer shaft defines acutting edge extending about at least a portion of the perimeterthereof. The at least one cutting edge may include cutting teeth definealong at least a portion thereof.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximaldriver is adapted to connect to a rotor drive of a motor of a handpieceassembly and to receive at least one of rotational or oscillatory outputtherefrom.

A method of assembling an end effector assembly of a tissue resectinginstrument provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosureincludes obtaining an outer shaft including at least a portion of a hubhousing disposed about a proximal end portion thereof and an inner shaftincluding a distal driver disposed about a proximal end portion thereof.The method further includes inserting the inner shaft through the atleast a portion of the hub housing and into the outer shaft, coupling aproximal driver with the distal driver with a biasing spring disposedtherebetween, and holding the proximal driver in position against thebias of the biasing spring. While holding the proximal driver inposition, a retainer cap is engaged with at least a portion of the hubhousing. The method further includes releasing the hold on the proximaldriver. Upon releasing the hold on the proximal driver, the biasingspring biases the proximal driver into a locked condition relative tothe retainer cap, thereby locking the inner shaft relative to the outershaft.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the obtained outer shaftincludes a first portion of the hub housing disposed about the proximalend portion thereof. In such aspects, the method further includesengaging a second portion of the hub housing with the first portion ofthe hub housing. Engaging the second portion may be accomplished beforeengaging the retainer cap. Additionally or alternatively, the retainercap is engaged to the second portion of the hub housing. Further,engaging the second portion may be accomplished via snap-fitting.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, engaging the retainer capis accomplished via snap-fitting.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, biasing the proximaldriver into the locked condition includes biasing the proximal driverproximally such that a tab defined within one of the proximal driver orthe retainer cap is received within a notch defined within the other ofthe proximal driver or the retainer cap.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, engaging the retainercap retains an RFID chip in position. More specifically, in aspects, themethod includes, prior to engaging the retainer cap, inserting the RFIDchip into a pocket defined within the retainer cap. In such aspects,engaging the retainer cap may close an open end of the pocket to retainthe RFID chip in position therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and features of the present disclosure are describedhereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein like numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding elements in each of the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a side, perspective view of an end effector assembly of atissue resecting instrument provided in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure wherein an inner shaft of the end effector assemblyis disposed in a first position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the area of detail indicatedas “2” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of a distal end portion of theend effector assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the inner shaft of the endeffector assembly is disposed in a second position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of the distal end portion of theend effector assembly as illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the inner shaftof the end effector assembly is disposed in a third position;

FIG. 5 is a side, perspective, exploded view of the end effectorassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the inner shaft of the end effectorassembly of FIG. 1 including a distal driver assembled thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side, perspective view of an outer shaft of the end effectorassembly of FIG. 1 including a distal body portion of a hub housingassembled thereon;

FIG. 8 is a rear, perspective view of the portion of the end effectorassembly illustrated in FIG. 6 assembled within the portion of the endeffector assembly illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear, perspective view of the portion of the end effectorassembly illustrated in FIG. 8, further including a biasing spring and aproximal driver assembled thereto;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a retainer cap of the end effectorassembly of FIG. 1 including an RFID chip disposed therein;

FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating complementarylocking features of the retainer cap of FIG. 10 and the proximal driverof FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a rear, perspective view of the portion of the end effectorassembly illustrated in FIG. 9, further including a proximal extensionportion of the hub housing assembled thereto;

FIG. 13 is a rear, perspective view of the portion of the end effectorassembly illustrated in FIG. 12, further including the retainer capassembled thereto;

FIG. 14 is a rear, perspective view illustrating proximal insertion ofan outer shell about the portion of the end effector assemblyillustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear, perspective view of a proximal end portion of the endeffector assembly of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition;

FIG. 16 is a side, perspective view of the proximal end portion of theend effector assembly of FIG. 1 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 17 is a perspective, longitudinal, partial cross-sectional viewtaken across section line “17-17” of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken across sectionline “18-18” of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a side, perspective view of a tissue resecting instrumentincluding the end effector assembly of FIG. 1 engaged with a handpiece;and

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken across sectionline “20-20” of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 19, a tissue resecting instrument 10provided in accordance with the present disclosure and configured toresect tissue includes an end effector assembly 100 and a handpieceassembly 200. Tissue resecting instrument 10 is adapted to connect to acontrol unit (not shown) via a cable 300 to provide power and controlfunctionality to tissue resecting instrument 10, although tissueresecting instrument 10 may alternatively or additionally include apower source, e.g., battery, and/or a control unit disposed withinhandpiece assembly 200. Tissue resecting instrument 10 is furtheradapted to connect to a fluid management system (not shown) via outflowtubing (not shown) connected to outflow port 400 for applying suction toremove fluid, tissue, and debris from a surgical site via tissueresecting instrument 10. The control unit and fluid management systemmay be integral with one another, coupled to one another, or separatefrom one another.

Tissue resecting instrument 10 may be configured as a single-use devicethat is discarded after use or sent to a manufacturer for reprocessing,a reusable device capable of being cleaned and/or sterilized forrepeated use by the end-user, or a partially-single-use,partially-reusable device. With respect to partially-single-use,partially-reusable configurations, handpiece assembly 200 may beconfigured as a cleanable/sterilizable, reusable component, while endeffector assembly 100 is configured as a single-use,disposable/reprocessable component. In any of the above configurations,end effector assembly 100 is configured to releasably engage handpieceassembly 200 to facilitate disposal/reprocessing of any single-usecomponents and cleaning and/or sterilization of any reusable components.Further, enabling releasable engagement of end effector assembly 100with handpiece assembly 200 allows for interchangable use of differentend effector assemblies, e.g., different length, configuration, etc.,end effector assemblies, with handpiece assembly 200.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, end effector assembly 100 includesan outer shaft 120, an inner shaft 140, a hub assembly 160, a driveassembly 180 (FIG. 5), and an RFID chip 190 (FIG. 5). Referring also toFIGS. 2-4, outer shaft 120 includes a proximal end portion 122 (FIG. 5)and a distal end portion 124 defining an at least partially closeddistal end 126 and a transverse window 128 disposed adjacent the atleast partially closed distal end 126. Window 128 provides access to theinterior of outer shaft 120 transversely through a sidewall thereof andmay be surrounded by a cutting edge 129 a about the outer perimeter ofwindow 128 so as to facilitate cutting of tissue passing through window128 and into outer shaft 120. Cutting edge 129 a may define a serratedconfiguration including a plurality of cutting teeth 129 b extendingalong longitudinal sides of cutting window 128 or may define any othersuitable configuration. In embodiments, cutting teeth 129 b are arcuatein configuration to conform to the tubular shape of outer shaft 120.

Inner shaft 140 is rotatably disposed within outer shaft 120 andincludes a proximal end portion 142 (FIG. 5) and a distal end portion144 defining an at least partially closed distal end 146 and atransverse window 148 disposed adjacent the at least partially closeddistal end 146. Window 148 provides access to the interior of innershaft 140 and may be surrounded by a cutting edge 149 a about the outerperimeter of window 148 so as to facilitate cutting of tissue passingthrough window 148 and into inner shaft 140. Cutting edge 149 a maydefine a serrated configuration including a plurality of cutting teeth149 b extending along longitudinal sides of cutting window 148 or maydefine any other suitable configuration. In embodiments, cutting teeth149 b are arcuate in configuration to conform to the tubular shape ofinner shaft 140. Cutting teeth 149 a, in embodiments, may be morepronounced into cutting window 148 as compared to the extension ofcutting teeth 129 b into cutting window 128.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-4, inner shaft 140 is configured for rotationand/or oscillation within and relative to outer shaft 120 to therebyrotate or oscillate window 148 relative to window 128. Morespecifically, inner shaft 140 is configured to rotate or oscillatebetween a first position (FIG. 2), a second position (FIG. 3), and athird position (FIG. 4). In the first position, as illustrated in FIG.2, window 128 and window 148 are aligned with one another to enabledrawing of tissue through window 128 and window 148, under suction,thereby facilitating the cutting of tissue extending into inner shaft140 as inner shaft 140 is rotated or oscillated relative to outer shaft120. The applied suction also facilitates removal of tissue, fluids, anddebris through inner shaft 140, as detailed below.

In the second position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, inner shaft 140 isrotated relative to outer shaft 120 from the first position illustratedin FIG. 2 such that window 128 and window 148 are no longer aligned withone another but still define a passageway therethrough into inner shaft140. In the third position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, inner shaft 140 isrotated further relative to outer shaft 120 from the second positionillustrated in FIG. 3 such that window 128 and window 148 are fullymisaligned, e.g., do not overlap, from one another to close thepassageway into inner shaft 140. Moving to the third position, e.g., aclosed position, and fully misaligning window 128 and window 148 ensuresthat tissue that had been pulled through windows 128, 148 is fullyseparated to enable removal from the surgical site through tissueresecting instrument 10.

Inner shaft 140 may be driven to rotate continuously in a singledirection from the first position to the second positon to the thirdposition and back to the first position. Alternatively, inner shaft 140may be configured to repeatedly oscillate, rotating from the firstposition to the second position to the third in a first direction andthen rotating in a second, opposite direction from the third position tothe second position back to the first position. End effector assembly100 may be driven in either the rotational or oscillatory fashion,depending upon the input received from handpiece 200 (FIG. 19).

Other suitable configurations of outer shaft 120 and/or inner shaft 140that cooperate to facilitate tissue cutting are also contemplated, suchas those employing reciprocation, rotation, and/or oscillation of innershaft 140 relative to outer shaft 120.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, as noted above, end effector assembly100 includes outer shaft 120, inner shaft 140, a hub assembly 160, and adrive assembly 180. End effector assembly 100 further includes an RFIDchip 190 captured between a retainer cap 170 of hub assembly 160 and aproximal extension portion 164 of a hub housing 161 of hub assembly 160,as detailed below.

Hub assembly 160 includes a hub housing 161 having a distal body portion162 and a proximal extension portion 164 that are configured forengagement with one another, e.g., via snap-fitting or other suitableengagement. Referring momentarily to FIGS. 19 and 20, with end effectorassembly 100 engaged with handpiece assembly 200, proximal extensionportion 164 of hub housing 161 extends into handpiece assembly 200 whiledistal body portion 162 substantially abuts and extends distally fromhandpiece assembly 200. Proximal extension portion 164 of hub housing161 further defines an outflow opening 165 through a sidewall thereofthat is configured to fluidly communicate with an internal bore 214 ofhandle housing 210 of handpiece assembly 200 when end effector assembly100 is engaged therewith.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 5, and with additional reference to FIGS. 7 and8, distal body portion 162 of hub housing 161 is fixedly disposed aboutproximal end portion 122 of outer shaft 120 with outer shaft 120extending distally therefrom. Inner shaft 140 extends through outershaft 120, as noted above, and extends proximally through distal bodyportion 162 of hub housing 161 into proximal extension portion 164 ofhub housing 161 wherein drive assembly 180 is operably coupled toproximal end portion 142 of inner shaft 140.

Referring also to FIGS. 12, 17, and 18, hub assembly 160 furtherincludes an O-ring 166 configured for engagement about proximalextension portion 164 of hub housing 161 distally of outflow opening165. O-ring 166, as illustrated in FIG. 20, is configured to establish afluid-tight seal against the interior of handle housing 210 of handpieceassembly 200 when end effector assembly 100 is engaged therewith toinhibit fluid from travelling distally after exiting outflow opening165.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 14-18, hub assembly 160 additionallyincludes an outer shell 168 configured for positioning about distal bodyportion 162 of hub housing 161 and for engagement therewith, e.g., viasnap-fit engagement or in any other suitable manner. A cantileverengagement finger 169 a extends proximally from a lower surface of outershell 168 of hub housing 161 and proximally from distal body portion 162of hub housing 161 when outer shell 168 is engaged thereabout.Engagement finger 169 a includes an engagement tooth 169 b extendingtherefrom that is configured for engagement within a correspondingaperture 218 defined within handle housing 210 of handpiece assembly 200(see FIG. 20) to enable releasable engagement of end effector assembly100 with handpiece assembly 200 (FIG. 20). Grasping ribs 169 c aredefined on side surfaces of outer shell 168 to facilitate engagement anddisengagement of end effector assembly 100 to and from handpieceassembly 200 (FIG. 20).

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 10-13, retainer cap 170 of hub assembly160 is configured for snap-fit or other suitable engagement with aproximal end portion of proximal extension portion 164. Retainer cap 170defines a longitudinal lumen 174 extending through retainer cap 170. Aninternal collar 176 protrudes radially inwardly into longitudinal lumen174. Internal collar 176 includes a distally-oriented notch 178 definedtherein. Retainer cap 170 further includes an external collar 179 adefining a pocket 179 b. Pocket 179 b is configured to receive RFID chip190 therein. When retainer cap 170 is engaged with proximal extensionportion 164, e.g., via snap-fitting, the open end of pocket 179 b isblocked by a proximal face of proximal extension portion 164, therebycapturing RFID chip 190 therein.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 17 and 18, drive assembly 180 isconfigured to operably couple drive rotor 260 of handpiece assembly 200(see FIG. 20) with inner shaft 140 such that rotation of drive rotor 260(FIG. 20) drives rotation and/or oscillation of inner shaft 140 withinand relative to outer shaft 120. Drive assembly 180, more specifically,includes a proximal driver 182, a distal driver 184, and a biasingspring 186, e.g., a coil compression spring. In some embodiments, driveassembly 180 further includes a threaded coupler and cam follower (notshown) operable to convert rotation of drive rotor 260 (FIG. 20) intoreciprocation of inner shaft 140 such that inner shaft 140 is bothrotated and reciprocated in response to rotation of drive rotor 260(FIG. 20). Additionally or alternatively, drive assembly 180 may includegearing (not shown) configured to amplify or attenuate the outputrotation of inner shaft 140 relative to the input rotation from driverotor 260 (FIG. 20).

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, distal driver 184 of drive assembly 180 isfixed about proximal end portion 142 of inner shaft 140 and includes aproximal body portion 185 a, a distal body portion 185 b, and a lumen185 c extending longitudinally therethrough. Distal driver 184 furtherincludes a collar 186 d disposed thereabout between proximal and distalbody portions 185 a, 185 b, respectively. Proximal body portion 185 a ofdistal driver 184 of inner core drive assembly 150 includes a proximalfoot 185 e extending proximally therefrom. At least a portion ofproximal foot 184 e defines a non-circular cross-sectionalconfiguration, e.g., a semi-circular, rectangular or other polygonalconfiguration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11, 17, and 18, proximal driver 182 of driveassembly 180 includes a proximal body portion 183 a and a distal bodyportion 183 b. Proximal body portion 183 a includes an external collar183 c disposed annularly thereabout. External collar 183 c includes aproximally-oriented tab 183 d that extends therefrom along the exteriorsurface of proximal body portion 183 a. Proximal body portion 183 afurther includes a proximally-facing cavity 183 e at least a portion ofwhich has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration, e.g., an 8-pointstar or other polygonal configuration, that is configured to at leastpartially receive drive rotor 260 of handpiece assembly 200 in fixedrotational orientation (see FIG. 20). Distal body portion 183 b definesa distally-facing cavity 183 f at least a portion of which has anon-circular cross-sectional configuration, e.g., a semicircular,rectangular, or other polygonal configuration. Alongitudinally-extending slot 183 g defined through a side wall ofdistal body portion 183 b communicates with distally-facing cavity 183f. Distally-facing cavity 183 f of proximal driver 182 is configured toslidably receive proximal foot 185 e of distal driver 184 in fixedrotational orientation due to the non-circular, and at least partiallycomplementary, configurations thereof. Proximal and distal drivers 182,184, respectively, cooperate to define a flow path therethrough, e.g.,via open proximal end of lumen 183 c and longitudinally-extending slot183 g, to enable the suctioning of tissue, fluid, and debris throughinner shaft 140, drive assembly 180, through output opening 165 of hubhousing 161 and into handpiece assembly 200 (see FIG. 20), as detailedbelow.

Biasing spring 186 is disposed about proximal body portion 185 a ofdistal driver 184 and includes a distal end that abuts collar 185 d ofdistal driver 184. Biasing spring 186 includes a proximal end that isconfigured to abut a distal end of distal body portion 183 b of proximaldriver 182. In this manner, biasing spring 186 biases proximal driver182 proximally relative to distal driver 184 such thatproximally-oriented tab 183 d of external collar 183 c of proximal bodyportion 183 a of proximal driver 182 is biased into engagement withindistally-oriented notch 178 of internal collar 176 of retainer cap 170to thereby rotationally fix proximal and distal drivers 182, 184relative to retainer cap 170 and hub housing 161 and, as a result,rotationally fix inner shaft 140 relative to outer shaft 120.

With reference to FIGS. 6-14, the assembly of end effector assembly 100is detailed. As illustrated in respective FIGS. 6 and 7, pre-assembly ofdistal driver 184 about proximal end portion 142 of inner shaft 140 infixed relation relative thereto and pre-assembly of distal body portion162 of hub housing 161 about proximal end portion 122 of outer shaft 120in fixed relation relative thereto, is accomplished.

Turning to FIG. 8, once the above-detailed pre-assembly is complete,inner shaft 140 is inserted, in a proximal-to-distal direction, throughdistal body portion 162 of hub hosing 161 and outer shaft 120. As shownin FIG. 9, biasing spring 186 may then be inserted, in aproximal-to-distal direction, about proximal body portion 185 a ofdistal driver 184 such that the distal end thereof abuts collar 185 d ofdistal driver 184 (see FIGS. 17 and 18). With biasing spring 186positioned in this manner, proximal driver 182 is slid in aproximal-to-distal-direction onto proximal body portion 185 a of distaldriver 184 such that distally-facing cavity 183 f of proximal driver 182receives proximal foot 185 e of distal driver 184 therein in fixedrotational orientation. This sliding of proximal driver 182 onto distaldriver 184 compresses biasing member 186 and, thus, proximal driver 182is required to be held in position until otherwise retained with hubassembly 160.

Referring to FIG. 12, proximal extension portion 164 of hub housing 161is slid, in a proximal-to-distal direction, about proximal and distaldrivers 182, 184, respectively, and into engagement, e.g., viasnap-fitting, with distal body portion 162 of hub housing 161. At thispoint, proximal driver 182 is still required to be held in positionagainst the bias of biasing member 186, although it is also contemplatedthat proximal extension portion 164 include features to retain proximaldriver 182 in engagement with distal driver 184. Prior to or after theengagement of proximal extension portion 164 with distal body portion162, O-ring 166 is slid in a proximal-to-distal direction about proximalextension portion 164 of hub housing 161 to be seated within an annularrecess 167 defined about proximal extension portion 164 of hub housing161 distally of outflow opening 165.

With momentary reference to FIG. 10, RFID chip 190 is loaded into pocket179 b of retainer cap 170 and, thereafter, turning to FIG. 13, retainercap 170 is slid in a proximal-to-distal direction about proximal driver182 into engagement, e.g., via snap-fitting, with proximal extensionportion 164 of hub housing 161. Internal collar 176 of retainer cap 170defines a diameter less than an outer diameter of external collar 183 cof proximal body portion 183 a of proximal driver 182 such that proximaldriver 182 is inhibited from passing proximally therethrough. As aresult, the engagement of retainer cap 170 with proximal extensionportion 164 of hub housing 161 retains proximal driver 182 in engagementwith distal driver 184 against the bias of biasing spring 186.Accordingly, once retainer cap 170 is engaged with proximal extensionportion 164 of hub housing 161, it is no longer required to holdproximal driver 182.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, outer shell 168 is slid in adistal-to-proximal direction about outer shaft 120 and distal bodyportion 162 of hub housing 161 into engagement, e.g., via snap-fitting,with distal body portion 162 of hub housing 161 to complete the assemblyof end effector assembly 100 (FIG. 1).

Turning to FIGS. 17 and 18, in the fully assembled condition of endeffector assembly 100 (FIG. 1), as noted above, biasing spring 186biases proximal driver 182 proximally such that proximally-oriented tab183 d of external collar 183 c of proximal body portion 183 a ofproximal driver 182 is engaged within distally-oriented notch 178 ofinternal collar 176 of retainer cap 170 to thereby rotationally fixinner shaft 140 relative to outer shaft 120. End effector assembly 100,e.g., proximal driver 182, distal driver 184, and retainer cap 170thereof, may be configured such that, in the biased, rotationally lockedposition, windows 128, 148 of outer shaft 120 and inner shaft 140,respectively, are disposed in the third position (FIG. 4), correspondingto a closed position of inner shaft 140 relative to outer shaft 120.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 19, and 20, handpiece assembly 200 generallyincludes handle housing 210, an outflow path 220 defined through handlehousing 210 and communicating with an outflow port 400, a motor 250disposed within handle housing 210, and drive rotor 260 disposed withinhandle housing 210 and operably coupled to motor 250. Handpiece assembly200 may further include one or more controls 270, e.g., buttons,disposed on handle housing 210 to facilitate activation of tissueresecting instrument 10, toggle between various modes, and/or to varythe speed of motor 250. Further, outflow tubing (not shown) isconfigured to connect to outflow port 400 to thereby connect outflowport 400 to a fluid management system (not shown). The fluid managementsystem includes a vacuum source to establish suction through tissueresecting instrument 10 and the outflow tubing to facilitate removal offluid, tissue, and debris from the surgical site and may also include acollection reservoir, e.g., a collection canister, for collecting theremoved fluid, tissue, and debris. As an alternative or in addition to avacuum source establishing suction through tissue resecting instrument10 and the outflow tubing, vacuum may be created therethrough via apressure differential between the surgical site and the outflow path.

Handle housing 210 defines a pencil-grip configuration, although otherconfigurations are also contemplated, e.g., pistol-grip configurations,and includes an open distal end portion 212 communicating with aninternal bore 214. Open distal end portion 212 of handle housing 210provides access to drive rotor 260 and internal bore 214 within handlehousing 210 such that, upon engagement of end effector assembly 100 withhandpiece assembly 200, as detailed below, a portion of end effectorassembly 100 extends through open distal end portion 212 and intointernal bore 214 to operably couple with drive rotor 260 and fluidlycouple end effector assembly 100 with internal bore 214 and, thus,outflow path 220.

Cable 300 extends proximally from handle housing 210 and is configuredto connect to the control unit (not shown) to provide power and controlfunctionality to tissue resecting instrument 10. Cable 300, morespecifically, houses one or more wires (not shown) that extend intohandle housing 210 and electrically couple controls 270 and motor 250with the control unit to power motor 250 and control operation of tissueresecting instrument 10 in accordance with controls 270, the controlunit, and/or other remote control devices, e.g., a footswitch (notshown). Cable 300 further includes one or more wires 310 that connect toan RFID transceiver 290 disposed within handle housing 210 towards thedistal end thereof.

Drive rotor 260 is operably coupled with and extends distally from motor250 such that, upon activation of motor 250, motor 250 drives rotationof drive rotor 260. Drive rotor 260 defines a base 262 and rotor body264 extending distally from base 262. Base 262 is stationary andsurrounds body 264. Rotor body 264 defines a non-circularcross-sectional configuration, e.g., a square or other polygonalconfiguration, and is configured for at least partial receipt withinproximally-facing cavity 183 e of proximal driver 182 of end effectorassembly 100 in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto uponengagement of end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200 suchthat activation of motor 250 drives rotation of body 264 of drive rotor260 to, in turn, drive proximal driver 182 of end effector assembly 100.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 18-20, engagement of end effector assembly100 with handpiece assembly 200 in preparation for use of tissueresecting instrument 10 is detailed. In order to engage end effectorassembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200, end effector assembly 100 isapproximated relative to handpiece assembly 200 such that retainer cap170 and proximal extension 164 of hub housing 161 are inserted intointernal bore 214 of handle housing 210 of handpiece assembly 200. Asend effector assembly 100 is approximated in this manner, grasping ribs169 c of outer shell 168 of hub assembly 160 of end effector assembly100 are grasped and squeezed inwardly towards one another, therebycausing the upper and lower surfaces of outer shell 168 to flexoutwardly. As the lower surface of outer shell 168 is flexed outwardly,engagement finger 169 a and engagement tooth 169 b are likewise flexedoutwardly. This enables end effector assembly 100 to be approximatedfurther towards handpiece assembly such that engagement tooth 169 b isdisposed in alignment with and below an engagement aperture 218 definedwithin handle housing 210 of handpiece assembly 200

Upon release of grasping ribs 169 c of outer shell 168, the upper andlower surfaces as well as engagement finger 169 a and engagement tooth169 b are returned inwardly towards their initial positions. In thismanner, engagement tooth 169 b is received within engagement aperture218 to thereby engage end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly200. Disengagement and release of end effector assembly 100 fromhandpiece assembly 200 is affected in the opposite manner.

As end effector assembly 100 is approximated relative to handpieceassembly 200 to affect the above-detailed engagement, drive rotor 260 ofhandpiece assembly 200 is received within proximally-facing cavity 183 eof proximal body portion 183 a of proximal driver 182 in fixedrotational orientation thereof, e.g., due to the at least partiallycomplementary configurations thereof. Driver rotor 260, morespecifically, is inserted within proximally-facing cavity 183 e andbottoms out therein prior to engagement of engagement tooth 169 b withinengagement aperture 218 and, thus, prior to engagement of end effectorassembly 100 with handpiece assembly 200. Accordingly, end effectorassembly 100 is required to be further approximated relative tohandpiece assembly 200 in order to affect engagement. As a result, withrotor body 264 bottomed-out within proximally-facing cavity 183 e,further approximation of end effector assembly 100 urges proximal driver182 distally through and relative to retainer cap 170, against the biasof biasing spring 186, to thereby displace proximally-oriented tab 183 dof external collar 183 c of proximal body portion 183 a of proximaldriver 182 from within distally-oriented notch 148 of internal collar176 of retainer cap 170, thereby rotationally unlocking proximal anddistal drivers 182, 184 from retainer cap 170 and hub housing 161. Thus,inner shaft 140 is unlocked from outer shaft 120 and permitted to rotaterelative thereto.

With end effector assembly 100 engaged with handpiece assembly 200 asdetailed above, RFID chip 190 of end effector assembly 100 is disposedin vertical registration with RFID transceiver 290 of handpiece assembly200, e.g., wherein RFID transceiver 290 is radially aligned with anddisposed radially-outwardly of RFID chip 190 relative to a longitudinalaxis defined through end effector assembly 100 and handpiece assembly200, due to the required orientation of end effector assembly 100 toenable engagement with handpiece assembly 200, e.g., such thatengagement tooth 169 b is received within engagement aperture 218. Thus,with end effector assembly 100 engaged with handpiece assembly 200, RFIDtransceiver 290 may read/write data to/from RFID chip 190 and/orcommunicate read/write data to/from the control unit, e.g., via cable300.

The data stored on RFID chip 190 of end effector assembly 100 mayinclude item number, e.g., SKU number; date of manufacture; manufacturelocation, e.g., location code; serial number; use count (which may beupdated by writing data from RFID transceiver 290 to RFID chip 190); thehome/initial position of inner blade 140; the rotation type (rotationversus oscillation); RPM settings (default, high, medium, low); max RPM;pressure setting information; vacuum setting information; outflowsetting information; calibration information; and/or encryption key(s).Additional or alternative data is also contemplated.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1 and 18-20, with end effectorassembly 100 engaged with handpiece assembly 200 as detailed above,tissue resecting instrument 10 is ready for use. In use, motor 250 ofhandpiece assembly 200 is activated to drive rotation of drive rotor260. Upon activation of motor 250, with a head-start or delay relativeto activation of motor 250, or independently thereof, suction isestablished through tissue resecting instrument 10, e.g., via activatingthe vacuum source of the fluid management system.

Activation of motor 250, in either a rotating or oscillating fashion,drives rotation of drive rotor 260 which, in turn, drives rotation ofproximal driver 182 to, in turn, drive rotation of distal driver 184 andthereby rotate or oscillate inner shaft 140 relative to outer shaft 120.The rotation or oscillation of inner shaft 140 relative to outer shaft120, together with the suction applied through inner shaft 140, enablestissue to be drawn through cutting windows 128, 148 and into inner shaft140, cut, and suctioned, along with fluids and debris, proximallythrough inner shaft 140, drive assembly 180, through output opening 165of proximal extension portion 164 of hub housing 161, and throughoutflow path 220 of handpiece assembly 200 to outflow port 400 foroutput to the collection reservoir of the fluid management system.

Upon engagement of end effector assembly 100 with handpiece assembly200, a control program (not shown) associated with motor 250 may recordthe rotational position of drive rotor 260 as a home position and, afteractivation, ensure that drive rotor 260 stops at a rotational positioncorresponding to the home position, e.g., the closed position of innershaft 140 relative to outer shaft 120. The control program may utilizecorrelation information, e.g., from RFID chip 190, correlating, forexample, rotation of drive rotor 260 with rotation of inner shaft 140 toensure that inner shaft 140 is returned to the closed position relativeto outer shaft 120 after each activation. Returning to the homeposition, corresponding to the closed position of inner shaft 140, alsoreturns proximal driver 182 to its initial rotational position wherebyproximally-oriented tab 183 d of external collar 183 c of proximal bodyportion 183 a of proximal driver 182 is rotationally aligned withdistally-oriented notch 178 of internal collar 176 of retainer cap 170.As such, upon disengagement and withdrawal of end effector assembly 100from handpiece assembly 200, biasing spring 186 returns proximal driver182 proximally to thereby bias proximally-oriented tab 183 d intoengagement within distally-oriented notch 178 to re-engage therotational lock rotationally fixing inner shaft 140 in the closedposition relative to outer shaft 120.

Referring generally to FIG. 19, as an alternative to handpiece assembly200 configured for manual grasping and manipulation during use, tissueresecting instrument 10 may alternatively be configured for use with arobotic surgical system wherein handle housing 210 is configured toengage a robotic arm of the robotic surgical system. The roboticsurgical system may employ various robotic elements to assist thesurgeon and allow remote operation (or partial remote operation). Morespecifically, various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric andmechanical motors, etc. may be employed for this purpose and may bedesigned with the robotic surgical system to assist the surgeon duringthe course of an operation or treatment. The robotic surgical system mayinclude remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgicalsystems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulatingsurgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectivelyconfigurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc.

The robotic surgical system may be employed with one or more consolesthat are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location.In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses may prep the patientfor surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with the surgicaldevice disclosed herein while another surgeon (or group of surgeons)remotely controls the surgical device via the robotic surgical system.As can be appreciated, a highly skilled surgeon may perform multipleoperations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remote consolewhich can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patientor a series of patients.

The robotic arms of the robotic surgical system are typically coupled toa pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved bythe surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the working ends ofany type of surgical instrument (e.g., end effectors, graspers, knifes,scissors, cameras, fluid delivery devices, etc.) which may complementthe use of the tissue resecting devices described herein. The movementof the master handles may be scaled so that the working ends have acorresponding movement that is different, smaller or larger, than themovement performed by the operating hands of the surgeon. The scalefactor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so that the operator cancontrol the resolution of the working ends of the surgicalinstrument(s).

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely as examplesof particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity orunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An end effector assembly of a tissue-resectingdevice, the end effector assembly comprising: an outer shaft including ahub housing disposed about a proximal end portion thereof; an innershaft disposed within and rotatable relative to the outer shaft, theinner shaft including a distal driver disposed about a proximal endportion thereof; a proximal driver slidably coupled to the distal driverin fixed rotational orientation relative thereto such that rotation ofthe proximal driver drives rotation of the distal driver; a retainer capdefining a pocket having an open end, the retainer cap disposed about atleast a portion of the proximal driver and fixedly engaged with the hubhousing to thereby fix the retainer cap relative to the hub housing andthe outer shaft, the retainer cap configured to selectively lock theproximal driver in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto,thereby selectively locking the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft;and an RFID chip disposed within the pocket, wherein, with the retainercap engaged with the hub housing, a portion of the hub housing closesthe open end of the pocket to retain the RFID chip therein.
 2. The endeffector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retainer cap engagesthe hub housing via a snap-fit engagement.
 3. The end effector assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising a biasing spring extendingbetween the proximal driver and the distal driver, the biasing springconfigured to bias the proximal driver towards a locked position,wherein the retainer cap locks the proximal driver in fixed rotationalorientation relative thereto.
 4. The end effector assembly according toclaim 3, wherein the proximal driver is movable against the bias of thebiasing spring to an unlocked position, wherein the proximal driver isunlocked from the retainer cap to permit relative rotation therebetween.5. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner andouter shafts define windows towards respective distal ends thereof andwherein rotation of the inner shaft within the outer shaft rotates thewindow of the inner shaft relative to the window of the outer shaft. 6.The end effector assembly according to claim 5, wherein at least one ofthe window of the inner shaft or the window of the outer shaft defines acutting edge extending about at least a portion of a perimeter thereof.7. The end effector assembly according to claim 6, wherein the cuttingedge includes cutting teeth define along at least a portion thereof. 8.The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the proximaldriver is adapted to connect to a rotor drive of a motor of a handpieceassembly and to receive at least one of rotational or oscillatory outputtherefrom.
 9. A tissue-resecting device, comprising: an end effectorassembly, including: an outer shaft including a hub housing disposedabout a proximal end portion thereof; an inner shaft disposed within androtatable relative to the outer shaft, the inner shaft including adistal driver disposed about a proximal end portion thereof; a proximaldriver slidably coupled to the distal driver in fixed rotationalorientation relative thereto such that rotation of the proximal driverdrives rotation of the distal driver; a retainer cap defining a pockethaving an open end, the retainer cap disposed about at least a portionof the proximal driver and fixedly engaged with the hub housing tothereby fix the retainer cap relative to the hub housing and the outershaft, the retainer cap configured to selectively lock the proximaldriver in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto, therebyselectively locking the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft; and anRFID chip disposed within the pocket, wherein, with the retainer capengaged with the hub housing, a portion of the hub housing closes theopen end of the pocket to retain the RFID chip therein; and a handpieceassembly, wherein a portion of the end effector assembly is configuredfor insertion into the handpiece assembly to releasably engage the endeffector assembly with the handpiece assembly, thereby operably couplinga motor of the handpiece assembly with the proximal driver of the endeffector assembly.
 10. The tissue-resecting device according to claim 9,wherein the portion of the end effector assembly includes the RFID chipand wherein the handpiece assembly includes an RFID antenna positionedsuch that, upon releasable engagement of the end effector assembly withthe handpiece assembly, the RFID chip is aligned with the RFID antennato facilitate wireless communication therebetween.
 11. An end effectorassembly of a tissue-resecting device, the end effector assemblycomprising: an outer shaft including a first housing portion disposedabout a proximal end portion thereof; an inner shaft disposed within androtatable relative to the outer shaft; at least one driver extendingthrough the first housing portion and operably coupled to a proximal endportion of the inner shaft such that rotation of the at least one driverdrives rotation of the inner shaft within and relative to the outershaft, the at least one driver defining a longitudinal axis; a secondhousing portion disposed about at least a portion of the at least onedriver and configured to engage the first housing portion to thereby atleast partially enclose the at least one driver therein, whereinengagement of the first and second housing portions defines an enclosedpocket therebetween at a location radially spaced from the longitudinalaxis; an RFID chip disposed within the enclosed pocket; and an outershell at least partially surrounding the first housing portion, theouter shell including an engagement finger radially spaced from thelongitudinal axis and configured to facilitate engagement of the endeffector assembly with a handpiece assembly, wherein the engagementfinger and the enclosed pocket are disposed in a pre-determinedorientation relative to one another such that the RFID chip is orientedin a pre-determined orientation relative to the engagement finger. 12.The end effector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the at leastone driver includes a proximal driver and a distal driver, the proximaldriver slidably coupled to the distal driver in fixed rotationalorientation relative thereto such that rotation of the proximal driverdrives rotation of the distal driver to thereby drive rotation of theinner shaft.
 13. The end effector assembly according to claim 12,further comprising a biasing spring positioned to bias the proximaldriver towards a locked position, wherein the second housing portionlocks the proximal driver in fixed rotational orientation relativethereto.
 14. The end effector assembly according to claim 11, whereinthe enclosed pocket is substantially formed within the second housingportion, and wherein the first housing portion encloses the enclosedpocket upon engagement of the first and second housing portions with oneanother.
 15. The end effector assembly according to claim 11, whereinthe first and second housing portions are configured to engage oneanother via a snap-fit engagement.
 16. The end effector assemblyaccording to claim 11, wherein the inner and outer shafts define windowstowards respective distal ends thereof and wherein rotation of the innershaft within the outer shaft rotates the window of the inner shaftrelative to the window of the outer shaft to cut tissue disposedtherebetween.
 17. The end effector assembly according to claim 11,wherein the first housing portion includes proximal and distal housingparts configured to engage one another.
 18. The end effector assemblyaccording to claim 11, wherein the at least one driver is movablebetween a locked position, wherein the second housing portion locks theproximal driver in fixed rotational orientation relative thereto, and anunlocked position, wherein the at least one driver is permitted torotate.
 19. A tissue-resecting device, comprising: the end effectorassembly according to claim 11; and a handpiece assembly, wherein aportion of the end effector assembly is configured for insertion intothe handpiece assembly whereby the engagement finger of the end effectorassembly is engaged within an engagement aperture of the handpieceassembly, thereby operably coupling a motor of the handpiece assemblywith the proximal driver of the end effector assembly.
 20. Thetissue-resecting device according to claim 19, wherein the portion ofthe end effector assembly includes the RFID chip, and wherein thehandpiece assembly includes an RFID antenna, the pre-determinedorientation of the RFID chip relative to the engagement finger ensuringthat the RFID chip is aligned relative to the RFID antenna uponengagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece assembly.